Letters to the Editor

Tools

Each household in Memphis has the opportunity to recycle by obtaining and using bins provided by request to the city. We all should be "going green" ("Conservation Nation," September 18th issue) by filling these bins with recyclable paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, and glass and placing the bins at the curb on our regular trash pickup days.

Where we are lacking is recycling at golf courses, restaurants, and other public and commercial facilities and sponsored activities where a large amount of paper and cardboard, plastic, and glass is generated. The various recyclables end up in the general trash heap.

The management at public and commercial facilities and events needs to take measures to initiate and perpetuate recycling, since a large quantity of recyclables are generated there. Whether it be the Mid-South Fair, Liberty Bowl stadium events, Memphis in May, or any small function, someone needs to ensure that materials are recycled. The environmetal benefits will be worth it and reflect positively on those who care enough to recycle.

Michael Morgan

Memphis

Nader

I met Parker Dixon shortly after his op-ed piece appeared in the Flyer (Viewpoint, September 25th issue). We spoke for about half an hour in a very casual setting, and I find him to be dedicated and informed. His views on the debates are well-presented; his support of Ralph Nader's candidacy is, in my opinion, ill-chosen. This has little to do with the popular opinion that Nader may well have cost Al Gore the presidency in 2000, but more to do with Nader's choice of battlegrounds.

I pretty much agree with Nader's positions on the major issues: health care, repeal of the Patriot Act, fair trade, corporate crime, the Iraq war, etc., but I believe that he would be better served to act as Gore does to further his agenda. Beating his breast during a national election cycle has done him little good and brought him very little media attention. This time around he will almost certainly not affect the election's outcome, so he should save his energy and resources for a time when he might draw more attention.

Bill McAfee

Memphis

Sarah Pain

In his "Rant" (September 25th issue), Tim Sampson does an interesting job of criticizing Sarah Palin. I agree with some of his points, but most are faulty. He calls her foolish for questioning global warming and being for hunting. He calls her "pro-rape," a gun-toter, white trash, uninformed, and an anti-science creationist.

Since Sampson appears to be an anti-creationist, he must hold to evolution, naturalism, and atheism. Given those tenets in his worldview, there aren't any absolutes for him to judge her actions by — only arbitrary feelings.

Why is hunting animals ultimately wrong in his worldview? Evolutionists believe that plants and animals evolved, and I bet he eats veggies which are on the same level as animals in that ideology. Why must the zygote or child of a rape victim suffer murder when the rapist committed a crime? He calls her "white trash." Isn't that a racist comment?

I probably won't vote for either major presidential candidate but talk about hate!

Charles Gillihan

Memphis

If you ignore the rhetoric and focus on the events of the past seven years and seven months, one statement made in October 2003 has not only proven to be true but almost clairvoyant in nature: "If you vote wrong, we will get hit and hit hard!" It was said by "Shotgun Dick" Cheney.

Maybe it's time "we the people" adopted a line from the Republicans' favorite big-game huntress, Sarah Palin: "Thanks but no thanks!"

Steve Janowick

Collierville

The Wall Street Bailout

Isn't this the same George Bush who tried steering Social Security retirement savings accounts to Wall Street? Didn't we already trust his assessment of imminent danger from weapons of mass destruction? Hasn't he already gutted America enough?

I think I'll listen to my mother on this one: She told me never to hate, because it weakens the heart. Instead, we can roll up our sleeves, put on a deadpan face, and tell this president and his party to get out and stay out — including that weird Sarah Palin candidate who John McCain is attempting to pass off as vice presidential material. They're trying to fool us again, but we're not that dazed and confused.